How do I make a cosmetic surgery complaint in Australia?

Prioritise urgent medical care if needed, then organise your evidence (quotes, consent, emails, photos, timeline). Next choose the correct pathway: medical follow up, a regulator report to Ahpra (Cosmetic Surgery Hotline 1300 361 041), your state health complaints entity (e.g., HCCC NSW, OHO QLD, HCC VIC), private refund/compensation negotiation, or independent second opinion and revision planning.

What records should I keep for a cosmetic surgery complaint?

Keep written quotes and invoices, consent forms and pre-op information, emails and texts, post-op instructions, dated photos across recovery, GP or independent reports, and any refund or revision offers in writing.

Should I accept a quick refund or revision offer from a clinic?

Not before you see the terms in writing and understand what you may be waiving (e.g., non-disparagement, confidentiality, liability). Consider an independent opinion before accepting money or scheduling revision.

Which complaint body is right for me in Australia?

Use medical follow up for health issues. For practitioner conduct and public safety, consider Ahpra. For service/fees or broader healthcare complaints, your state health complaints entity may be appropriate (e.g., HCCC NSW, OHO QLD, HCC VIC). For money disputes, negotiate privately in writing. For surgical fixes, consider an independent second opinion and carefully planned revision.

How long do cosmetic surgery complaints take?

Timeframes vary by pathway and evidence quality. Regulator and health complaint bodies can take weeks to months. Refund negotiations depend on both parties. Revision typically occurs only after healing, a clear diagnosis of the problem, and written risks/costs.

Complaints and disputes help in Australia

Cosmetic surgery complaints in Australia: what to do next

Q: Can I complain to Ahpra about a cosmetic surgery practitioner?

Yes. Ahpra accepts concerns about registered practitioners’ conduct, performance or health. You can call the Cosmetic Surgery Hotline on 1300 361 041 during business hours or lodge a concern online. Signing an NDA does not prevent lodging a concern with Ahpra.

If you are dealing with a bad outcome, poor communication, refund pressure, revision confusion or a safety worry, this page explains urgent care vs complaints, the Ahpra Cosmetic Surgery Hotline, what evidence to keep, when to slow down, and how to choose the right pathway.

Get confidential guidance Understand complaint pathways

1300 361 041 Ahpra Cosmetic Surgery Hotline (business hours)

Keep evidence Quotes, consent, emails, photos and a dated timeline

Pause big decisions Get offers in writing before refunds or revision

If urgent, seek care

Severe pain, fever, heavy bleeding or rapidly worsening symptoms require urgent medical review.

Ask about next steps

Know the pathways

Medical follow up, Ahpra complaints, refunds/compensation and revision planning are separate choices.

See your options

Evidence checklist

Save your written records, photos and a symptom timeline from day one.

Organise your records

Slow down offers

Ask for written terms before accepting a refund, NDA or fast revision.

Review an offer with us

What to do after a bad outcome

Immediate steps, safety checks and timing realities.

Refunds and compensation

How to approach offers, NDAs and negotiations.

Evidence and records

What to keep and how to organise your file.

Revision surgery help

When revision is wise, when to wait and what to ask.

Start a complaint enquiry

Choose the right complaints and disputes pathway

Most people mix medical follow up, Ahpra complaints, refunds and revision as if they are one choice. They are not. Use the cards below to separate your options before you sign, schedule or agree to anything.

Unsure where to start?

Medical follow up first

Stabilise health and understand whether symptoms reflect normal healing, a complication or a result concern.

Escalate urgent symptoms promptly
Ask for clear written instructions
Consider a GP or independent review

See recovery and aftercare

Get care guidance

Ahpra complaint pathway

For concerns about a registered practitioner, public safety, conduct, health or performance.

Cosmetic Surgery Hotline: 1300 361 041
Concerns can be lodged online
NDA does not block Ahpra complaints

Check registration & credentials

Get help preparing

Refunds and private disputes

Money discussions are separate from complaints. Get offers in writing and understand what you may give up.

Check the quote and inclusions
Clarify conditions (silence, waivers)
Document negotiations carefully

Costs and finance context

Review an offer

Revision surgery planning

Only proceed when the original problem is identified and timing, risks and costs are transparent.

Independent second opinion can help
Confirm risks and scar trade-offs
Define who pays what, in writing

Explore revision guidance

Get a second opinion

Compare complaint routes before you commit

A clearer comparison prevents rushed decisions. Use this overview to separate goals, next actions and common risks if you move too fast.

Route

Use when

Core actions

Risks if rushed

Medical follow up

You have symptoms, wound concerns or unclear recovery

Urgent care if severe; clear instructions; independent review if needed

Missing urgent issues or mislabelling problems as “normal”

Ahpra complaint

Concerns about a registered practitioner or public safety

Call 1300 361 041 or lodge online; keep records; state facts

Submitting without evidence or mixing it with refund demands

State complaint entity

Broader healthcare service or cost complaints

Check your state body (e.g., HCCC NSW, OHO QLD, HCC VIC)

Choosing the wrong forum for your goal

Refund/compensation

You are disputing fees, inclusions, offers or losses

Get terms in writing; check what you waive; align with evidence

Agreeing to silence or waivers you do not understand

Revision surgery

A defined problem has a realistic surgical fix

Confirm timing, risks, costs and who performs the revision

A second mistake from rushing without clarity

Ask which route fits your case

Your complaints and disputes journey

Follow a calmer sequence: stabilise health, document, clarify the issue, then choose the right pathway with fewer surprises.

Request your next step

Stabilise health

Prioritise urgent symptoms. Separate medical care from dispute decisions.

Gather evidence

Keep quotes, consent, emails, photos and a dated timeline. Ask for records.

Clarify the issue

Is it healing, a result concern, a complication, a billing dispute or conduct?

Choose a pathway

Ahpra complaint, state complaint entity, refund/compensation, revision planning—or a mix, in order.

Talk to someone today

Evidence and records checklist

Written quotes & invoices Confirm inclusions, dates and any “package” promises.

Costs

Consent forms & information What risks, photos and limits were explained before surgery.

Consent

Emails, texts & call notes Keep tone, timing and promises in a single file.

Communication

Post-op instructions Dressings, medications, review dates and escalation advice.

Aftercare

Dated photographs Capture changes through recovery and any complications.

Timeline

Refund or revision offers Ask for written terms. Check for waivers or NDAs.

Disputes

GP letters & reports Independent notes help separate healing vs complication.

Independent

Get your file reviewed

When to report, negotiate, or wait

Not every concern needs every pathway. These blocks help you decide what fits your situation now.

When to report (Ahpra)

Consider reporting if your concern involves a registered practitioner’s conduct, safety, performance or health.

Hotline 1300 361 041 (business hours)
Online concern lodgement available
NDA does not block reporting to Ahpra

Prepare a report

When to negotiate (refunds)

Use careful documentation and clear terms. Decide what you are prepared to waive, if anything.

Get all offers in writing
Check inclusions vs your quote
Consider independent advice

Discuss your options

When to wait (revision)

Some issues need healing time before judgment; others should not be dismissed as “normal.”

Define the original problem first
Confirm risks, scars and costs
Independent opinion can reduce regret

Plan revision wisely

Know the rules in Australia before you complain

These standards help frame cosmetic surgery complaints in Australia and protect your position while you decide your next step.

GP referral requirement

Cosmetic surgery in Australia requires a GP (or other non-cosmetic specialist) referral before consulting the practitioner who will operate.

GP referral: what to know

Cooling-off & informed consent

There must be at least two pre-op consultations and a minimum seven-day cooling-off period after informed consent.

Informed consent guide

Clinic red flags

Advertising pressure, unrealistic promises and unclear aftercare are warning signs. Note them in your evidence.

Red flags checklist

Choosing a new surgeon

For second opinions or revision, verify registration, scope and experience before you book.

How to choose a surgeon

Get help with your complaint now

Complaints and disputes: frequently asked questions

Quick answers to common questions about what to do, who to contact and how to protect your position.

What should I do if cosmetic surgery goes wrong?

Seek urgent medical care if needed, then preserve records, take photographs, keep a timeline and understand your complaint options before agreeing to refunds or revision.

Can I complain about a cosmetic surgery practitioner in Australia?

Yes. Concerns about a registered health practitioner can be made to Ahpra. You can also contact the Cosmetic Surgery Hotline on 1300 361 041 during business hours.

Can I still report concerns if I signed an NDA?

Yes. Ahpra says you can still make a complaint or report concerns about a registered practitioner even if you signed an NDA.

Should I accept a quick refund or revision offer?

Not always. Get the offer in writing, check what you are giving up, and consider an independent view before agreeing.

What records should I keep for a complaint or dispute?

Quotes, consent forms, invoices, emails and texts, post-op instructions, dated photos, your timeline and any written offers.

When is it urgent to seek medical care?

Severe pain, rapidly increasing swelling, heavy bleeding, fever, foul drainage, breathing difficulty, chest pain or fainting.

Who else can I contact in Australia?

Your state or territory health complaints body may help (for example HCCC NSW, OHO QLD, HCC VIC). Choose the forum that best fits your goal (safety, service, or fees).

Ask a question

Related help across the site

Explore deeper guides that many people use while working through complaints and disputes.

Consultations & safety

Standards that should apply before surgery, including referrals and informed consent.

Open page

Recovery & aftercare

Normal recovery vs warning signs, escalation steps and aftercare planning.

Open page

Revision surgery

When revision is suitable, common trade-offs and timing considerations.

Open page

Costs & finance

Quotes, inclusions, out-of-pocket realities and how fees compare.

Open page

Second opinions

Independent reviews when you’re unsure what went wrong or what to do next.

Open page

How to choose a surgeon

Checks to complete before booking any consultation or revision.

Open page

Risks & complications

What can go wrong and the warning signs by procedure.

Open page

Medicare & private health

When rebates or cover may apply and what to verify.

Open page

Get tailored help

Confidential complaints and disputes enquiry

Get clear, calm next-step guidance.

Send a confidential enquiry about a bad outcome, refund dispute, revision pressure, poor aftercare, complaint pathways, Ahpra reporting, evidence questions or broader complaints and disputes help in Australia. If you are unsure what to say next—or worried about agreeing to something too quickly—reach out below.

Independent clarity

Separate medical follow up, complaints, refunds and revision planning.

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Support for people in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and regional areas.